basel



Nav. 29, 1927. E. A. BASEL VALVE OPERATING MEANSA Filed March 5. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l HIB Nov. 29, 1927. 1,650,590 E. A. BASEL.

VALVE OPERATING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5. 1924 Fatented Nov. 229, lllil?.

'r Fries.

ELI A. BASEL, OF KANSAS GTY, uISSOR.

VALVE-PERATING MEANS.

Application inea March 5, ieee. serial no. eef/,105.

1he present 'intention relates to valve controlling devices 'for regula 'ngthe liuelsupply to burners, with particular reference to the class oi blu-ners using a iluid fuel, such as oil burners, gas burners, or the like. A ccordingigly, lf have devised an :improved valve conti-oriini;v mechanism, in which this regun lation e 'the fuel supply to the burner may be carried out either manually, or automatically by means of a thermostat or other torre ol reinote control mechanism.

@ne ci the primary objects of tue invention is to provide this type oi" valve with an electroniugnetic :torni ot controlling mechanisin, and to combine this type ot controlling' mechanism with a tlierinostatic circuit in auch a manner that the operation o1 the thermostatic device will correspondingly n- `luence the electroni: gnetic control and effectr the required operation o'lf the valve in an cilicient manner.

lt is :inse an object el the invention to include provision whereby the operation-s oit the electrornugnetic control will also effect the starting or stopping; ol a suitable motor, such as commonly 'forms a part oit oil burning :wparutus i llt is also sought to devise a valve controllii mechanism et this character in which provision is inade iior automatically cutting,`

olif' the Vdow ot 'fuel to the burner in the event oit the burner flame becoming extinguished, and oil overflowing therefrom, and to effect this stoppiire?` oit the fuel supply hulcpendeiitly ot any ot the other valve controlling elements oi the device. Various iin. proveniente are also provided 'in the specilic torni et the automatic tripping and releasing niechai'iisi'n by which the automatic cutoli' ot the Yfuel supply is eiilected.

ll: further object ot the invention to provide an iuuu'oved construction adapted to be enclosed conipactly Within a metallic housing structure to which all the electrical y conduits and pipe connections may conveniently be made, so that the whole Will present a sightly appearance, and yet permit easy access to the interior .mechanism for the purpose et inspection andV repair when necessary. T he invention further contemplates a coifitrolling` mechanism of the character described in which every adjustment may be conveniently made for the purpose of `ng or adjusting the operation ot ol `nieclicinjsin, in any desired inanuer to suit the particular conditions of the burner installation with which the valve is 'being used.

lV ith these general objects in View, as` Well as various minor objects Which Will appear in the course voi the detailed descrip tion, the invention will now be described by reference to the accoinpanying` drawings illustrating;l one 'torni oi embodiment of the saine which has been found to be both pracn tical and ctlicient, alter which those features deemed vto be novel will be particularly set forth and claimed.

ln the drawing- Figure l is a front elevation of valve trolling mechanism en'ibodying the present invention, a portion of the housing being breiten away to disclose the rinterior Working parts g o Figure 2 a side elevation, with the housing .member shown in vertical. section;

Figure l .is an enlarged vertical sectional 'i view el' the valve;y

Figure l isa horizontal section, taken ou the line l`i7-lV oi Figure 2;

Figure() is an enlarged sectional detail view, representing` a ection on `the line V-V oi Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a plan View, showing a therinoetatic device provided Withthe necessary electromagnetic elements tor making opera tive connection with the improved forni off 'valve controllingy mecha ni sin Figure 7 is a section taken on the line Vilvll et Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic vieu7 showing` the electric circuits involved in the improved construction.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, these illustrate the imp oved construction as making use oit a diaphragm type of valve,` which is inade up et tivo casing` sections l2, 13,' or substantially semi-spherical iorin, between which is clamped a diaphragm partition le of suitable flexible, resilient inatterial, illustrated in Figure By 'this means, fuel passage 16 is providedwithin the casing'section l2 at one side of the par tition lei, troni which passage 16 the iuel, such as oil, is conducted to the burner (not shown) by Way of a pipe connection 17. The tuel is conducted to the valve bywyay of a supply pipe 18 leading to a chamber V ll) forni-ed in the casing'section l2 for ac-` commodating a suitztble screen member 2G,

rlhe chamber 19 communicates with the .valve chamber 16 byway of a port 2a, the

inner end ol' which liorrns a valve seat 25 adapted for engagement by the needle valve 26, the stem 2'? of which is carried centrally by the diaphragm 14, as clearly illustrated in Figure 3. Interposed between the diaphragm 14 and said valve seat is a coil spring 28 which acts to reinforce the action o't the diaphragm in maintaining the valve 26 normally out ot engagement with the valve seat 25, which corresponds to the lull open position ot the valve. i

The outer end oit the valve stem 27 is engaged by the inner end ot a valve-operating thrust rod 30, which is screw-threaded through a bearing 31 l'ormed centrally in the casing section 13. The outer end portion ot this rod 30 has mounted thereon a linger 32 provided with a set screw 33 for adjustable clamping engagement with the rod 30, this linger 32 being adapted tor manual engagement for the operation ot the valve 26, and also serving as an index linger with relation to a dial 13 which is formed on the outer tace of the casing section 1 3, and thus indicating the degree et opening ot' the valve. ln the closing of the valve, the linger 32 is designed to engage a stop or limiting screw 34 (see Figure 1) mounted in a lug on the dial 13", this screw Se* being adjusted to correspond to the proper closed position ot the valve, and preventing any undue clamping pressure being exerted thereon.

On the outer end ot the rod 30 is also lreely journaled one end of a lever 36 provided with a suitable counterweight 37 and also connected to a chain 38' or other suitable 'form of remote-control connection leading to the motor of any desired type ot automatic heat regulating device (not shown), or this chain may, ilL preterred, terminate in a manually operable element whereby the lever 36 may be simply regulated by hand, from an upper lioor olf the building, instead of being` connected with an automatic regulator. For this form of remote-control operation, the finger 32 is adjusted and set lier the minimum llame positiom and then connectionis made between said linger and the lever 36 by means of a loop t() swivelled on the linger 32 and adapted to be hooked over a pin l1 which is screwed into the lever 35 adjacent to its connection with the rod 30. This forms a convenient detachable connection between the manually 'operable linger and the remote-control lever 36, although it will be understood that, it preferred, a direct operative connection may be made between the lever 36 and the rod 30 by simply screwing the pin el, into positive c ani-pi-ng engagement with said rod 30, for which provision is made as illustrated in Figure 3. An adjustable stop linger 3 is also provided for limiting the downward or valveopening moveinent ot the lever 36 under the action oit its weight 37, this linger e3 being carried by a collar el provided with a clamping screw for adjustably securing said collar and linger to a sleeve 4G projecting outwardly from the end ot the bearing 31.

A suitable sheet metal casing is provided as a housing lor the valve and its operating mechanism, and divided by a horizontal partition 51 into an upper compartment 52 tor the electromagnetic controlling elements, and into a lower compartment 53 to which access may be had by means oi' a hinged door having a knob or handle 55. A removable cover 56 is provided for the top ot n housing 5t), to vaord access to the interior ot' a compartment 52. An opening 57 is iormed in the front ot the housing 50 for exposing the dial portion 33 ot the valve easing 13, and the partition 51 is lormed with an opening 57 lier accomi'i'iodating the upper end ol' a valve operating lever 58 which is pivotally supported, as indicated at 59, upon a lug G0 provided on the interior ot the casing 13 (see Figure 3), which is also formed with openings 61 and (32 ior accon'nnodating the movements ol the upper and lower ends otl the lever 5S. The lower arm ot the lever 58 is provided with an opening, adjacent the pivot 59, tor the abuttin g ends of the valve stem 27 and thrust rod 30, and this portion ot the lever 58 is adaptedlor operative engagement with one of the nuts 63 whereby the valve stem 27 is clamped to the diaphragm 141. it being understood that the valve 26 is maintained normally in open position by the action ol said diaphragi'i'i and the spring 28, it will be obvious that any movement ot the lower arm et the lever 5S in the direction ot the diaphragm will lend to more the valve into closed position against the action oi the diaphragm and spring The upper end oit the lever 58 projects into the con'ipartn'ient where it tern'iinates in a split portion carrying a stop or limiting' scr-ow (-t projecting horizontally through an opening 65 in the tace et the housing 5() and provided at its outer end with a linger 66; by this means the screw Gl may be conveniently adjusted, and the tree end ot the upper arm ot the lever is provided with a clamping screw (S7 whereby the split portion ot' the lever is lirmly engaged with the screw 64.

A suitable supporting trame 63 is provided in the compartment 52 tor carrying the electromagnetic controlling elements including a pair ot electioniagnets G9 and 70, the latter being designed tor operating lever 71 which is pivotedat 72, with the front end portion ol the lever depending and terminating opposite the inner end ot the screw (Se with which it is adapted tor engagement in the closing ot the valve by the movement ol the lever 58. rlhe rear end oi' the lever 71 is provided With suitable counterweights 73 ol a size suliicient to more than counterbalance the combined action ot the diaphragm 11- andspring 28, so that Whenever the lever 71 is released, as hereinafter described, the counteriveights 73 Will operate automatically, through the levers 71 and 58, to'close the valve. The extreme rear end of the lever 71 is provided with a stop or limiting' screw7-l adapted to engage the adjacent portion oit the framework 68, by regulation ot which Screw it is possible to vary the amplitude ot pivotal movement ot the lever 71 and hence the extent oit movement imparted to the lever 58 and, correspondingly, the degree of closing movement ot' the valve 26. The lever 71 is latched in its raised or inoperative position, by means ot a pair ot toggle .links 75 connected respectively to the rear arm ot said lever and thejtraine- Work 68, while the joint 7 6 between said links 75 is connected by means oit a tension spring 77 to an armature member 78 pivoted to the trame Work 68 in position tor acting as an armature member for the rear electro n'xagnct 09 (see Figure 2). The function designed to be performed by the electromagnetl 39 to operate the armature '78, and thereby, through a pull upon the spring 7 7to break the toggle joint termed by the links 75, andv lower link 75 being arranged and operating as an arnmture member t'or said electromzng-` net 70. The armature member 78 and lower toggle link 75 are provided with 'interengaging .fingers 80 and 81, respectively, so ar# ranged that the finger 80 acts to prevent any rearward movement olf' the linger 81 or link until the armature member 78 has practically completed its movei'nent under the influence o the electromagnet 69, and disengaged the linger 80'lirom linger 81, at which time the tension ot the spring 77 is sul'ticient to produce a much more abrupt breaking ot by mere dragging pull upon the joint 76 exerted by an unyielding connection With the armature 7 8. The same action characterizes the operation oit the electromagnet 70V vscrew 101 of the thermostat.

the toggle joint than would be eliected' Sil to a switchcontact Figure 8)v and also to abinding post 86 through a conductor 87, and trono the post 86 a conductor 88, in which is included an electromagnet 89, leads to anA adjustable contact screw 90 formed as a part of any ot the usual forms oit thermostats 'provided with the commentorm ogt tl1eri'i'io-i'esponsive element 91, which is in circuit through a conductor 92 With eithera battery 93 `or a transformer 9e connected With an electric supply line 99. r1Ehey other electromagnet '70"is provided with a conductor 95 connecting it ivith'a switch contact 96, and also with va conductor 97 leading to a binding post :trom which a'conductor 99, in lwhich is `included an electromagnet 100, leads to the other adjustable contact As shown in Figures 6 and `7, the adjustable thermostatic contact screws 90 and 101 are carried by theV usual` sivivelled plate 82, by which said screws may be simultaneously adjusted rela-k reinforcing the circuit closing movements olV the element 91 and accentuating such movements, with a result that a more positive circuit closing ell'ect is produced, usingV a smaller current and eliminating any tendency to burn the contact points.

The circuit from the thermo-responsive element 91 is completed by means ot a conductor 102 leading from either the battery 93 or the transformer 94 to a grounding post 103. The other branches 01: the circuit are adapted to be alternately grounded through. the conductors 84 and 95 leading to the contacts 85 and 96, respectively, which are adapted to be alternately engaged vby contact elements 105 and 104C carried bythe lov:-v er toggle linlr 75 and the armature 78, re spectively, these latter being ot course grounded their connection with the tramework.

Preferably, l' provide the lever`58 with a retarding device.v which comprises a lever pivoted to a biaclzct 111 Within the com-V partaient,52I (see Figure 4:) ,i a swivel connecles lll)

Cll

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tion being made Vbetween one end of the lever 110 and the split upper end portion of the lever 53. The other end oit the lever 110 is pivotally connected, as indicated at 112, to the central portion ot a iexible diaphragm 113 carried by a concave disk 114 attached to the iront wall of the compartment 52. A small air vent opening 115 is provided in the disk '1121, as illustrated in Figure 5. rlhe arrangement and construction of this retarding levice are such that any rearward movement otx the upper end of the lever 53 is somewhat retarded by the pressure required to be rted upon the diaphragm 113, which in turn yie ds only gradually as air is vented out through the opening 115. This rearward movement of the upper end ot the levr 53 is that which corresponds to the opening movement oi' the valvel 26, which therefore is allowed to open only gradually, asis desirable in the burning ot oil fuel, in order to prevent any flooding ot the burner by a too sudden increase in the supply ol fuel thereto.

lllhere a liquid iuel such as oil is being supplied rto the burner, a blower is Otten used for spraying or atomizing the fuel, in addition to supplying the necessary air t0 the burner, and some torni of motor is required tor the operation oil' this blower. Since the operation ot the blower is required only while the fuel is being ted to the burner, the automatic control ot the valve should also be ccoinpanied by a similar' control for the blowers operation, and accordingly in the present case l illustrate an automatic switch for starting and stopping such a niotor, in agreement with the opening and closw ing movements ot thc valve. Referring to Figures l and 3, a motor circuit 113, including a suitable motor 119, is connected with the line circuit 199, and in the circuit 113 is also included a suitable rocking` switch 120, which may preierablybe ot the mercuryn tube type rocking about a pivot 121 provided in brackets 122 and 123 carried by the iloor oi the compartment 52. One side of the switch 120 is provided with a bell-crank 12/1 forming an operating arm projecting` from one side ot -he lower toggle link 75. By this arrangement it is apparent that when the toggle links 75 are straightened, to correspond with the opening oit the valve the u'iercury switch 120 is rocked slightly forwar l with the result that the circuit 113 closed and the motor `119 set in operatio-u to operate the blower. Obviously,when the toggle joint i6 is broken, to release the lever i' 1 and permit opening ot the valve 25, the switch 120 is rocked in the opposite direction, for breaking the circuit 118, and stopping the motor 119.

The valve section 12 is formed with an oil overflow passage 126 (see Figure 3) into which is' threaded one .end oit an oil overlow pipe 127 leading from the burner, and also one end ot an oil overow discharge pipe 123, to the other end of which is iitted an air trap element 129 (see Figure 2). The connection of the overtlow pipe with the valve insures the return of any over-lio Ying oil by way oit' the valve, or to the position occupied by the valve, and anchors this end of the overflow pipe securely in position, iu-

stead of leaving such pipe with a 'tree proj jecting end at some other point remote trom the valve, as 'in the utual coifitruction.

'lille overflowing oil is discharged into an overflow bucket 130 locate .n the lower compartment 53, beneath the valve, and supported by one end ot u counterwcighted lever 131 the :Fulcrum pin ot which is (.etachably rittel in a suitable opening` in another counterweightcd arm 133, the toi-ward oud ot which is pivoted at 13e to a lug 135 de` pending Yfrom the front valve section 13 (see Figure 1). rlhe iront enoot the arm 133 is formed with an upwardly-proj lcting finger 13G t esgned for engagement wit i the lower ond ot the lever 53 while peruutting all ordinary movements ot the latter for opening und closing the valve independently ot the operation or the arm 133 (sec Figure 3). ln the norma position oit the lever 131 and ot the arm 193, t ieretore, no operative pressure is exert1d by the lug` or projection 133 upon the lower end of the lever 53, and the pari.4 131 and 133 are maintained in this inoperative position by means oit link 13'? carried by an arm 138, one end oit which is pivotally connected, as indicated at 139, to a projection from the rear valve section 12, while the other end ot said arm 133 supported by means ot a 'fusible link 1li() secured to the rear wall oli the housing 50 adjacent. to an opening 1112 provided 'for subjecting said link 1410 to the intiuence oi surrouiuling heat in case ot tire. rlhe lower end onf the link 13'? is detachably connected with a pin-like projection 1114i; from the lever 131, and this projection 1liL is preiterubly in direct line with the pivot piu 132 forming the connection between the lever 131 sill uri'n'133. The construction and arrangement are such that the counterwcighted portion ot the lever 13V nicely balances the -euiny lrutsict 130, that the wright ot any i' to the buckc', will very readilY l" 'fic the projection 1441 Ytroni the link 1317 and thereby releaefo ai'id hence both the lever 131 and operate the lever to crore the valveby pressure et the lug` 136 on the lower end ot said lever 53. The same result will obvio s ly be produced in caseot a lire melting ihe link 140,v and r leasing the bucket supporting arm inthe samemanner.

The nature et' the operation of the devi@A has been indicated in a general way, but may be briefly summarised as follows. The tliermostatio device .operate in a Lehner llt) lill) well. known and understood, the thermo-re sponsive element lll closing' the circuit through the conductor 88 in case ot a rieI in.,temperature around the thermostat, and closing,l the circuit to the conductor 99 in response to a tall in such teni )eraturcu firssuining a rise in tei'nperature, the element 91 closes the circuit throue'h the contact screw 90, which circuit closing action is reinforced and accentuated by the action oiE the electromagnet 89 on 'the armature end et the element 91 which snaps tightly against the core of said electromagnet and positively closes the circuit with no opportunity for a lagging action and burning oil: the contact points. This closing?, of the circuit through the conductor 88 also coi'npletes the circuit through the coil 6l), the conductor 8l and Contact 105 and to the ground through the lower toggle link 7 5, as will be clear iiiom the diagram in Figure 8, it being assumed that the initial position oit the parts is that illustrated in Figure 2. The electromagnet G9 new being,` energized, it acts upon the armature member 78 and through the springl 77 t0 break the toggle joint 76 and release the lever 71 to the actionoi its counterweights 73; as already explained, this results in the moven'ient or the lower end of the lever 58 in a direction to close the valve 26 against the action ot the diaphragm 14 and spring` 28. This movement of the lower toggle link 75 also breaks the circuit through the e'lectromacjnet 69 by separating the contacts 85 and 105 (said circuit beings; thus maintained closed until the armature 78 has completed its operative movement), and likewise breaks the motor circuit 118 by rocking; the n'iercury switch 120 in the same direct-ion as the lower toggle link 75. This operates to stop the blower action simultaneously-with the closing et the valve.` The burner will now operate with a low ilaine until the temperature around the thern'iostat has fallen sufficiently to cause the elen'ient 91 to close the circuit through the conductor 99, wliereupon the electromagnet 100 will operate in a similar manner as has ust been explained with reierence to the electromaggnct 89, :for positively closing the circuit at this point. This will also close the circuit through the electromagnet 70 and the conductor 95 to the switch contacts 9G and 10ft which, it will be recalled, we?. lett closed by the last action oi the thermostat. The electromagnet 70 nov-7 being energized, it promptly attracts the lower tory glo or armature link .75 and operate to straighten the toggle links and raise the lever 71 against the pull et the weights 73, and thereby relatching said lever 71 in the initial position illustrated in Figure 2. This also breaks the circuit through the contact- 104- and armature 78 to the ground, and recloses it through the contact elements and 105. This movement ot the lever 71 causes operation oi the sponding to this opening ot the valve, the

mercury switch 120 is rocked in a forward direction by vthe movement of the lower toggle link 75, for closing the circuit through the motor 119, and thus again starting the blower. This openingmovement of the valve is also retarded by the action of the device 118, as has already been explained, for preventing,- a too rapid flow ot oil to theburner. Int-he event oi' the llame at the burner becoming,y extinguished, `and oil overtlowinfz,` i'rom the same to the bucket 123i, the valve will be promptly closed by the tripping ol' the arm 133, as above explained, and the same result will be accomplished by an undue rise in ktemperature around the valve, which would speedily melt the link 149 and iny turn release the arm 133 and operate the valve-closing lever 58 to close the valve.

lt will thus be apparent that IV have provided a practical and etlicient.construction for carrying out the desired objects of the invention, and that all ot the parts et' the mechanism may be conveniently closed in compact form within the housing,- 50, to which all the connections may be quickly made at the several points which may be marked for the electrical conduits and pipe connections. It is also apparent that the safety cut-oil device, lfor closing` the valve in responso to the overflowing,` of oil from the burner, will operate independently ot any of the other controlling devices; and, if desired., the manual control or regulation ot the valve through the operation of parts connected with the thrust rod 30, may be carried ont independently of the electrical or magnetic control associated with the upper end of the valve controlling lever 58. Thus, the electromagnetic cont-rolling mechanism may or may not be supplied with the valve, according to the conditions under which the saine is to be installed, and if omitted the electromagnetic control may be added later it the conditions are so changed as to render it advisable.

lllfhile l have illustrated what I now regard as the preferred form of construction, l desire to be understood as reserving,` the Vright to make all such changes or modifications as may fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

lVhatl claim is ze? 1. Valve mechanism for burners comprising, in combination with a burner fuel passage, a valve controlling the iiow ot 'fuel through said passage, a valve operating member tor controlling said valve, an arm operative automatically under the pull of 2gravity to actuate said member to close the valve, a receptacle for receivingoil overflowing from the burner, a counterbalancing arm supporting said receptacle and provided with a detachable pivot connection With said tirst arm, and a releasable supporting element provided With a detachable connection With said counterbalancing arm.

2. Valve mechanism for burners comprising, in combination with a burner rfuel passage, a valve controlling the tiow of 'uel through said passage, a valve operating member for controlling` said valve, an arm operative automatically under the pull of gravity to actuate said member to close the valve, a receptacle :tor receiing` oil overi'ioivingV 'from the burner, a counterbaiancing arm supporting; said receptacle and pivotally carried by said arm, and a releasable supporting element provided with a detachable conn ction With id connterbalancing arm coinciciirg` with the pivotal axis thereof.

3. Valve mechanism tor burners comprising, in combination with a bai-ner tuel passage, a valve controlling' the flow of 'fuel througl said passage, means for maintaining said valve normally in open position, a device operating' automatically to close said valve, an electromagnet operative to actuate said valve-closing device into inoperative position, means for latching` said valve-closing` device in its inoperative position, an electromagnet provided with a movable armature having a yielaingly extensible tripping connection with said latching means, and means preventing the tripping ot said latchingmeans until said armature has completed its movement in response to the action of the corresponding,` electromagnet.

4. Valve mechanism 'lor burners comprising, in combination with a burner tuel passage, a valve controlling the tiow ol` iuel throughs-aid passage, means tor maintaining said valve normally in open position, a device operating automatically to close said valve, an electromagnet having an armature operative to actuate said device into inoperative position and aise latch said device in its inoperative position, an elcctromap'iiet provided with an armature operative to retract said lirst arn'iature and unlatch said valve-closing device, and means preventing' the rctracting` movement ot' either said armatures until the other armature has completed its operative mo nent.

Valve mechanism 'for burners comprising', in combination with a burner it'uel pa, sage, a valve controlling;v the 'i'iow ot fuel through said passage, means 'tor maintain-- ing; said valve normally in open position, z device operating' automatically to close sait. valve, an elcctromagnet having an armature operative to actuate said device into inoperative position and also iatch said device in its inoperative position, an electromagnet provided With an armature operative to retract said first arn'iature and 'unlatch said valve-closing' device, each ot said armatures being` operative to control the circuit threi i the electromagnet ot the othei` armatuit, and means ttor preventing the retiacting' movement of either ot said armatures until the other armature has completed its operative movement.

ln witness whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

ELl A. BASEL. 

